- Arsenal reportedly on course to complete Aubameyang signing
- Journalist claims transfer fee and salary agreed between relevant parties
- Gabon international desperate to leave Dortmund, as per Al-Smith
- READ MORE: Club-record Arsenal transfer ‘probably imminent’ after major development
Speculation continues to suggest that Arsenal may well be on the verge of a marquee signing this month with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang close to a move.
Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund are said to have agreed on a €60m transfer fee, while the 28-year-old will earn a €10m-a-year salary. That’s all according to African sports expert Gary Al-Smith who writes for the BBC and NY Times amongst others, as seen in the tweet below, as his sources have informed him that a deal could be close.
Further, he suggests that Aubameyang is now determined to leave this month, while Olivier Giroud could be heading in the opposite direction which makes plenty of sense as the Frenchman’s bid for regular football will only get more difficult at the Emirates were Aubameyang to arrive.
It follows reports from Bild that the Gabon international has been dropped from the Dortmund squad for their upcoming clash with Hertha Berlin, which is the biggest indication yet that the Bundesliga outfit are preparing to bid farewell to him.
Right. Aubameyang is “absolutely relieved he is on his way out of BVB”, per same source.
Transfer fee agreed with AFC: €60m
Yearly salary: €10mGiroud be part of the deal depending on final terms. Auba does not want to play for BVB anymore.
Relationship untenable.
— Gary Al-Smith (@garyalsmith) January 18, 2018
If the deal does go through, it will surely delight the Arsenal faithful.
Aubameyang has established himself as a one of the most prolific forwards in Europe, scoring 141 goals in 212 appearances for Dortmund, while he plundered in 40 goals in just 46 games last season to register his most prolific campaign yet.
It will present a potential headache for Arsene Wenger in that he’ll have to find a way for Aubameyang and summer signing Alexandre Lacazette to co-exist up front, but it remains to be seen whether or not the deal firstly goes through.
As noted by Sky Sports pundit Guillem Balague below, he expects more discussions to take place on Friday, as he quotes the exact same price-tag, and so it all seemingly points towards a successful conclusion to negotiations.
He has not travelled with the squad… tomorrow more meetings between clubs. He is happy to go. Arsenal expect Dortmund to value him around the €60m figure https://t.co/WZ2m1KbpK8
— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) January 18, 2018